NFL Notebook: Green trade reportedly done

Source says Chiefs QB is now a Dolphin

MIAMI -- Trent Green could be on the field with the Dolphins by this weekend after Miami finally agreed to terms with Kansas City on a trade for the quarterback.

Green will undergo a physical in Miami, and if he passes it, the trade will be completed, a person within the NFL with knowledge of the deal said Tuesday night. The person requested not to be identified because the deal is not official.

Neither team would confirm the trade Tuesday. A Dolphins spokesman said he had no knowledge of a deal even being worked out, much less completed.

If the move happens, the 36-year- old Green likely would be with the Dolphins when they open a three-day minicamp Friday.

Foxsports.com reported that Kansas City will get a fifth-round draft pick that could become a fourth-rounder instead, depending on how well Green plays in Miami.

In 5 1/2 seasons as Kansas City's starter, Green threw for 21,459 yards -- an average of 244 per game -- and 118 touchdowns while completing 62 percent of his passes. He missed eight games last season because of a concussion suffered in the season opener and didn't believe he'd have a chance to fairly compete with Brodie Croyle and Damon Huard for the Chiefs' starting job in 2007.

So he wanted a trade to South Florida and worked out a new contract several weeks ago with the Dolphins, who traded for Daunte Culpepper before the 2006 season.

"They haven't said, 'You're the guy; come right in,' " Green said last month when asked about his talks with the Dolphins. "They haven't told me one way or another. I just know I would have a much more fair chance, for my mind."

Culpepper played in only four games a year ago because of knee problems and is still trying to recover from major surgery in 2005. If the Green deal gets completed, Culpepper's status -- which is already uncertain for 2007 -- would become even more cloudy, and there is widespread speculation that the Dolphins may simply consider releasing him.

Culpepper is due to make $5.5 million in 2007.

UPSHAW DRAWS FIRE: NFL union head Gene Upshaw has never been one to hide his emotions. An ex-NFL player thinks this time he's gone too far.

Hall of Famer Joe DeLamielleure said he takes literally remarks Upshaw made that he'd like to "break his ... damn neck"

"He is the head of a union. He has the wherewithal to do it," DeLamielleure said Tuesday.

Upshaw made the comments last week to the Philadelphia Daily News. DeLamielleure, a former guard who was part of Buffalo's "Electric Company" offensive line in the 1970s, believes Upshaw has ignored the needs of former players.

"Our pensions stink," the 56-year-old DeLamielleure said.

Upshaw notes pension payouts have increased and a plan has been enacted to help former players with dementia. He told the Philadelphia newspaper last week that he was tired of DeLamielleure's criticism.

"A guy like DeLamielleure says the things he said about me; you think I'm going to invite him to dinner? No. I'm going to break his ... damn neck," he said.

DeLamielleure said the comments frightened his family.

THURMAN INVESTIGATED: Suspended Bengals linebacker Odell Thurman has been accused of kicking and hitting two men in his Georgia hometown during the weekend. He has not been charged with a crime, but a magistrate will hear testimony Friday to determine if charges should be filed.